BEST FESTIVAL SEASON EVER! - AN INSIDE LOOK AT THIS SUMMER'S LINEUPS - Back & to the Left Publishing
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SUMMER
2019
FREE
ISSUE
41
BEST FESTIVAL SEASON EVER!
AN INSIDE LOOK AT THIS SUMMER’S
LINEUPS...
INSIDE: DOLLY MAVIES, POTTERY, SEB REYNOLDS, CATGOD,
FLIGHTS OF HELIOS, SHOTOVER. LIVE: WOOD 2019, GOLDIE
LOOKIN’ CHAIN, JACK GOLDSTEIN
ALBUMS FROM RICHARD HAWLEY, HONEYBLOOD,
THE NATIONAL & MUCH MORE
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MUSIC NEWS MOSA - DAWNED EP
Six years since his last foray as
Samuel Zasada, the super-talented
David Ashbourne is back playing
RIVERSIDE APPEAL One of the bedrocks of the local
solo, and he’s bringing That Voice
music scene Riverside Festival, the free annual event
with him. This time he’s not pulling
at Charlbury has set up a funding page to help bridge
any punches, channeling the raw, caustic intensity of
the financial shortfall caused by the rainfall last year.
Tom Waits lightened with the delicacy and soaring
Local music lovers should head to gofundme.com to
tones reminiscent of early Gomez. He blew us
help the festival which is staffed by volunteers. The
away the first time round, and frankly he’s knocked
organisers said “We raise the majority of our funding
it out of the park again. All good things come to he
from sales at the bar, and as a consequence of the
who Waits. Dawned is out on Witney-based label
weather, for the first time ever, we didn’t cover our
Fourtwenny at the end of June.
costs.” This year’s Riverside, rousing indie rockers
Kanadia headlining, and a pixie theme (in homage
PEERLESS PIRATES –BANQUET FOR
to the Pixies, of course), is on 20-21 July.
BANDITS
Second album Banquet for Bandits is
RITUAL UNION AGAIN Ritual Union, the not – to awash with more rakish good – fun indie
– be - missed multi – venue festival which last year rock, straddling effortlessly somewhere
brought together the likes of Gaz Coombes, Nadine between The Libertines and The Smiths.
Shah and Jane Weaver has announced the lineup for See them at Beacon Festival, Watlington June 21.
their third edition which is on October 19. Electronic Order at peerlesspirates.com.
indie favourites Teleman headline, with trippy prog
rockers The Comet is Coming alongside local TREV WILLIAMS – GREEDY PIGS
favourites Young Knives and the Cooling Pearls. Visit Follow up to The Start Line and it’s
seetickets.com/ tour/ritual-union for ticket details. heartfelt folk pop, twinkling, melodic
pianos, trumpets and strings all the way
RIDE ON The second coming of Oxford’s shoegaze - a sort of Magdalen Road Cherry Ghost
legends Ride gathers pace with a new album, and a if you will. The rousing Do You Miss
world tour including a grand homecoming show at Me with just Trev and the piano is the
Oxford Town Hall on December 3. The band’s new earworm here, a real show - ender.
album This is Not a Safe Place is released on August
16 – you can see the video for new single Future
Turn to page 22 for more local reviews.
Love at thebandride.com.
PORT BACK - Also on to a second coming, certainly
as a music venue, is the Port Mahon in St Clements.
The room upstairs, which for years was a staple on
the local music – go - round has had a refit (as has
THANKS
the pub, kitchen and beer garden) and is now fully Huge thanks to all the contributors for this
– re-functioning for gigs. The OMS Issue 40 double issue: Hugh Garrety, Tom Chapman, Leo B,
shows with recent cover subjects Mother are on June Cheryl Flynn, Ulysses Lima, Jon Blunt, Jason
14 & 15, while the Port is one of the venues for the Big
Warner, Chris Monger, Liz Green & Katy
Scary Monsters Big Day Out on June 22. Look out for
events on the pub’s Facebook page or email manager
Kills, Autumn Neagle, Charlotte Banks, Matt
Nell at oxfordportmahon@gmail.com. Chapman Jones, Dave Roberts, Jeff Slade,
Tom McKibbin, Andrew Pring / Yellow Bear
NEW STUDIO & VENUE Upcycled Sounds, the new Photo.
record label with Rosie Caldecott and Limpit Space
Race in its roster has teamed up with local arts charity Edited by Stewart Garden
Fusion Arts to open a new recording studio and gig
Design by Autumn Neagle.
space in Temple Cowley. The two storey site, which
launches on July 3, will also have an exhibition area..
Published by Back & to the Left Publishing
Contact: back2left@gmail.com / back issues
at: back2left.co.uk
OUT SOON KEEP UP WITH US ON FACEBOOK ON
BE GOOD – GOD OF NOWHERE EP TWITTER
Six tracks of cutesy, smooth Paisley
Park – style soul pop done Cowley WE ARE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
style – highlight being previous single AMAZING NEW MUSIC WRITERS – GET IN
Moving Staircase. See them at the
TOUCH IF YOU LOVE SEEING BANDS AND
Bullingdon June 13 with Premium
Leisure. “Beyond that, we’re writing!” they tell us.
WANT TO WRITE ABOUT LOCAL MUSIC.
2 3
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RESIDENT
CROONER
CHRIS
MONGER’S
CIRCUIT OF
Spreading the word on d’n’b from
Cowley to Czech Republic, here’s
Volume DJs Didz and Mblaze Top 10
OPEN MICS
go to tunes... MAXWELLS - WEEKLY, SUNDAYS
DREADLOCK – FUTURE PROPHECIES
Timeless classic and in most our sets still to this day.
Maxwells’ night slightly blurs the lines between
From the intro that catches you to the hard and loud an open mic and a showcase. At half an hour,
drop it never disappoints! the slots are longer than most open mics,
K-LONG – BB-8 and they are bookable in advance, with some
So simple but it does serious bits for me - the old remaining on the night if there is space. The
skool Nokia - style synth which gets stuck in my night runs until 3, much later than other nights;
head is so playful it leaves me bopping my head start the longer set does mean less variety, and
to finish. longer to play, but the stage is a nice set up in
VOODOO PEOPLE RMX – PRODIGY / PENDULUM the large window above Queen Street, with a
I’ve played this tune in pretty much every single set
good PA system...
- goes off wherever you play it. Instant flashbacks of
when you first heard it.
AIN’T TOO LOUD - DILLINJA WHITE HORSE, HEADINGTON –
Seminal tune from the king - Dillinja!! Got rinsed so WEEKLY, TUESDAYS
much I had to buy another. A tune for the heads and
the newer generation. The White Horse night is run by the charismatic
F#CK WHAT YOU HEARD – TC feat James Morgan, who runs nights 7 days a week
SCRATCH PERVERTS across Oxfordshire. This is his only night in
This track really changed the direction of d’n’b for so the city, and being in Headington, it’s just far
many. A masterpiece in its own right!
enough out to bring a different crowd to a lot
POISON - BOU
of the more central nights. This gives more of
The lyrics are catchy and work well with most other
tunes. A great example of how to please the crowd! a range than some other nights, with some
GUNSHOT – K MOTIONZ
acts you wouldn’t see too often in some of the
Bringing that new jump up style that he’s got down nights in town, and less of some of the regular
to a T. This is an instant reload tune wherever you’re Oxford scene attendees. It’s a good night for
playing. It’s massive. any attendees, perhaps a little less daunting for
BLOW - UPGRADE new starters than some of the more central
Nice, calm intro but the drop completely changes nights too.
that and makes everyone in the room want to move.
This will be doing the rounds for a long, long time.
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE – WEEKLY
CURSE – CRISSY CRISS / ERB n DUB
I’ve had this tune for well over a year and always had WEDNESDAYS
people coming up to me and asking what it was.
Rightly goes off every time. The Cape of Good Hope’s night is run by Lee
BAD FREQUENCIES – UPGRADE Davies, who also runs a few other events.
The don of the jump up scene, Upgrade took a Given its location, the pub is an overall slightly
different approach with this track - one of his best. busier one than his other nights. There’s quite
It’s got that grotty kind of neuro sound but with all a lot of background noise, but there is also a
the jump up elements we want and crave. He did
decent PA so that the areas surrounding the
smash it with this track, it’s like an unplayed gem of a
tune. More like this please Upgrade!! stage don’t get overwhelmed by people who
are not there for the music. There’s always a
Volume have a regular night at the Bullingdon decent house guitar, and an electric piano is
– next up June 29 with Danny Byrd. available by request.
4 5
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THE STUDIO BAND RECOGNITION! Favourite example of your lyrics?
“You get all worked up, baby, for nothing”
A look at our favourite band monikers We like your minimalist abstract designs
& GEAR SPY WITH... for the sleeves Jacob did the cover art,
CHRIS MONGER #3 POTTERY and Paul illustrated the whole package.
“We sometimes get emails from people trying to Why did you make a song about Hank
KEYBOARD NINJA SEB sell their kilns…” Williams? The riff made us shout out his
name.
CHAOTIC CANADIAN POST PUNK COMBO
REYNOLDS ON NEW SUPPORTED PARQUET COURTS BACK IN THEIR
You namechecked Josef K as an influence – what’s
COLLABORATORS HOMELAND. HOOKING US INSTANTLY, THEIR
JULIA MEIJER & SOLO Local musician Mike Bannard (Masiro) has become a NEW EP - NO.1, A RUSH OF DANCEABLE, JAGGED
your favourite song? You can’t pick a favourite with
regular collaborator. “I’m not particularly technically Josef K.
COLLECTIVE OUTINGS minded and benefit from some external input into
GUITARS WHICH SOUNDS LIKE THE LOST
OFFSPRING OF THE FIRE ENGINES AND JOSEF K, IS Favourite bit of merch?
“The tape is warped and out of tune, the sound of things. Mike Bannard, who runs the OUT NOW… AND THEY’RE BOUND FOR OXFORD. Either the back cover of the record, or the “Peter
Aviary and Safehouse Studios is a really important
but it’s sample gold”... collaborator for me - he’s done a lot of mixing with What came first – the band or the name? The songs
Fingers Baylis” T shirt!
Sebastian Reynolds has starred as the keys man behind me, he’s played guitar with me a bit on the live show came first, then after we had a couple we named it. Ever been misspelled on a poster?
Sexy Breakfast, The Epstein, Keyboard Choir and Flights and is great to work with. It’ll sound better if Mike
Not yet! We sometimes get emails from people trying
of Helios. The last few years has seen him shift to a spends an hour polishing it. It’s mainly just fine tuning, Any previous bands you’ve been in? We’ve all played
to sell their kilns though.
more experimental classical approach, working with but if you’re putting it out and want it to be published in various projects - to name a few, Paul Jacobs,
cellist Anne Müller and violinist Alex Stolze in The Solo then it’s best to have that shine to it.” Bodywash, Blank Bullets, DYLAN, Apathy Spells, Paul Jacob
Montreal’s Pottery visit
Collective, but also returning as a band with Swedish Death Metal Drummer Show 2009 (7 drummers, one show).
the Jericho Tavern on
singer Julia Meijer. “I’ve played in lots of bands and JULIA MEIJER August 19.
there’s always been part of me that’s been frustrated “Now I’ve got my own Has anyone ever come to your gigs thinking they’ll
by not having my own outlet that I’ve been in charge projects I’m a lot more be making a vase? Yeah, a pottery museum tour guide
from the Potteries region of the UK (Staffordshire) Check out their 7 track
of” he says of this change. “It never occurred to me to at peace being there to album No.1 at
try and develop as a solo act, as I don’t sing and I was support her music.” reached out to us - good man!
pottery.bandcamp.com
always feeling I needed to be part of a band with a Seb says of working with which includes the
Who created the video for The Craft? Austin and
singer. I’ve never just sat down and made a record and Julia Meijer (pictured singles Hank Williams
Jacob came up with a few barebones ideas for the video,
put it out.’ at the Port Mahon and The Craft.
and then our friends Bronwyn and Max (User Friendly
recently). “She’s an
Productions) took those ideas and ran with them.
THE SOLO COLLECTIVE amazing songwriter and has a sophisticated vision and
The second Solo Collective record sees the trio she knows what she wants; it’s nice to be in a band
recording Seb’s own compositions. “We released one with these great musicians. Her debut album was
record together a couple of years ago which was two recorded recently and mixed by Mike. For that I use
tunes each with us collaborating, but this version is the the Kaoss Pad to put delays on the vocal and some
three of us recording my tunes.” live vocal sampling, along with the Microkorg and the
He expanded “It’s a mixture of studio work and live Casio for some organ sounds.”
performances. Some of the tracks it’s the three of
us playing together in a room - we did the recording ABLETON 10
session during a tour so we were very together in a Working with Keyboard
way you can only be when you’re playing a lot. Some Choir in those formative
of it is more experimental; processed piano, strings years of my musical
and effects. I’m interested in combining these different development, first with
approaches together in one album.” cassette 4 tracks then
progressing to computers,
GO TO KEYBOARD Ableton has had a really profound effect on how I
Seb’s setup is mainly based around a live piano, work. When I very first started making electronic music
keyboard and Ableton for processing of sounds. I used Fruity Loops, then Cubase. Keyboard Choir
“I love weird tape warped stuff, I’ve started working on started around the time Ableton came out, I’ve been
a couple of tunes where I’ve taken loops from these using it for 15 years since the first edition. I can use it
old cassette tapes I found in my dad’s loft, demos of with the Push to manipulate sound live while I play the
a band I was in and the first gig I played. The tape is piano. Ableton plus weird sounds equals me happy!
warped and out of tune, but it’s sample gold.’
As far as keyboards go, the setup is nothing
extravagant. ‘The original MicroKorg has been my go to Solo Collective Part 2 is released
keyboard. There’s two broken keys, but I love the way it
sounds, the same sound engine as the ms2000. They June 7 on Nonostar – they play at
sound so great, and are very easy to program. I’ve got St Michael at the Nothgate Church
some apps for my iPhone, Thumb Jam and Analogue 3,
you can interact with the sound across all four dimensions
June 14. Julia Meijer album launch
to get some great effects; I find if you use a different July 13, The Wheatsheaf.
device you will do something in a different way’.
6 7
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KANADIA
Best festival moments:
Kings of Leon and
Radiohead at Lollapalooza,
Berlin For us: Common
People 2017, playing to a full tent on the Uncommon
stage. How to psych up? Appreciating a completely new
audience and acting like it’s the last set we will ever play.
Best / Worst? Playing to hundreds of new people. Sets
that are too early!
SEE THEM AT: Headline for Riverside, and Cornbury.
LITTLE
BROTHER ELI’S
FESTIVAL FEVER FESTIVAL DO’S
& DON’TS...
COME RAIN OR SHINE OXFORDSHIRE’S FESTIVAL HEADLINERS GLO-FEST,
FLORENCE PARK June 22
SEASON IS HERE.. FIND OUT WHAT’S IN STORE! With so many festival appearances under their belts,
the lovable dance / rockers are excellently – placed to
few friendly people the whole audience seems far less advise on a smooth outdoor gig offstage and on…
FLIGHTS OF HELIOS intimidating. I also, occasionally, do a power pose (in
1 DON’T BLOW YOUR LOAD - Don’t party too hard
Best festival moments: Glastonbury private) to get the good hormones going and make sure
to tell Robin ‘we’re going to smash it’ and ‘have fun’. on the first night. Last year we played four festivals in a
in 1997 - it was pretty amazing single weekend and we learnt the hard way you’ve got to
seeing Supergrass and Radiohead, Band party policy: Robin needs whiskey and Cat has to
get a chickpea curry from Kebab Kid (Cowley Road) at take it easy otherwise you won’t make it.
the Prodigy, Chemical Brothers,
the end of the night - wherever the show… SEE THEM 2 PLANNING IS EVERYTHING - Figure out which
and Sneaker Pimps. I was still small
AT: Witney Music Festival, 14-15 June & Tandem bands you want to see. We’ve had fans rushing around
enough to be constantly crowd-surfing, ending up at the
. like headless chickens messaging us on Instagram to
front left of the stage covered in mud. We finally got to
figure out which stage we’re on..
play there ourselves (in 2014) and it became (singer) Chris
Beard’s stag do. How to psych up for a festival gig? We 3 WEATHER PROOFING - We’ve had some pretty
have a 7-piece band - more calm and less haste means BRICKWORK mental festival experiences sliding around in the mud
trying to get to our stage. If you were at Truck Festival two
that we get to enjoy the moment and make something
special. Early days: Charlbury Riverside festival - it was LIZARDS years ago you’ll know what we’re talking about.
torrential rain and the stage had started to leak and we [WITH TOM O’HAWK, 4 I’VE GOT THE POWER - Bring your charger and a
had great crowd, but someone kept using a flash and TARIK & SPENCER] power pack to send important text messages like “where
I thought that every picture was a psychedelic electric Love Music, Hate Racism are you?” and “I’m stood by the giant picture of a monkey,
Tommy Cooper ending. It freaked me out so much I festival – June 22, Isis Farmhouse come find me”.
had to ask them to stop. They didn’t. So it then got all Best festival moments: Tom - Watching Ice Cube 5 NOM NOM NOM - Don’t forget to eat! Don’t be that
transcendental with one our best endings ever – it was descend a rope ladder from a helicopter onto the stage person who collapses during the middle of your rave or
epic! at Reading festival 1994 or Jimmy Cliff’s amazing set our slot and is carted out on a stretcher (true story).
SEE THEM AT: Tandem, Offbeat Festival June 29, at Glastonbury 2003. The last time it was easy to break 6 TEEPEES & TENTS - If you don’t peg down your tent
into Glastonbury (2000) there were lots of tent thefts, it WILL blow away - driving the band van into a festival
including mine and it was very muddy. I managed to blag one time we were almost taken out by a rogue tent.
my way into staying in a nice, cosy wooden structure 7 COME AND CHAT TO BANDS - Come up
CATGOD which was a vegetarian cafe, on condition I worked there
making veggie burgers for half an hour a day!
and have a chat with us during festivals - it’s a great
Best festival moments: (Robin) opportunity to grab some merch or just chat about the
S - Backstage at Common People 2018, watching Sparks
At Glasto Cat had me up on her new material. Maybe even blag a backstage beer...
from the side of the stage with Tim Booth out of James.
shoulders for Oumou Shangare’s set 8 COOL, COOL, WATER - Stay hydrated people -
T - Georgie Fame with a 22-piece big band (Cornbury,
- there was dancing and jiving… Cat Alex drinks at least 2 bottles of water onstage when he’s
2014) - amazing set that had us in tears (of sheer joy
had a bad back in the morning and forgot her sleeping leaping about!
by the end. Festival goods and bads? All – The crowds
bag so wrapped herself in jumpers. Stand out festival 9 SAVE THE TOES - Don’t bring your favourite shoes and
and after hours jam round the fire, access all areas
appearance? Ritual Union 2018. We were so excited to don’t wear flip flops unless you want your toes crushed by a
(sometimes), very hard to get great sound on an open
share the bill with Gaz Coombes and Ghost Poet. We giant leaping around to his favourite boogie tunes.
air stage, overpriced food, rushed line checks, crap riders
managed to pack out the upstairs of the O2 and a few
people told us our set was their favourite set of the whole
and carting gear around fields. 10 BOOK THE MONDAY OFF - Trust me you’re not
going to make it to work on Monday morning.
event. How to psych up: (Cat) I try to mill in the audience
and speak to some people. I find that if you speak to a Also at Big Feastival, BBC Intro stage August 23.
8
9
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KEVIN DOUCH – BIG SCARY MONSTERS BIG
DAY OUT [VARIOUS, COWLEY ROAD, JUNE 22]
Looking forward to: Orchards and Gender Roles (two
HANNAH JACOBS – TANDEM [CHIPPING
bands signed to our label) are constantly switching NORTON 21 – 23 JUNE] - Last year’s: Perhaps
places at the top of my favourite live band list, so Contraption, a 9-piece prog punk brass band just
I’m excited to see them both for the millionth time. absolutely rocked it. Who knew you could mosh to a
Worry are one of my favourite local bands, Colossal band with a piccolo in it. Then chilled out to a beautiful
Squid is Adam Betts’ of Three Trapped Tigers (and live Amsterdam folk duo, went to a stargazing workshop and
drummer for Goldie, no less), and one of the very best then danced into the night to the bonkers Paddy Steer
drummers around. Prepare to have your minds blown! - a DIY modular synths/machines/drums/vocoder one-
man band, all done in an alien suit, under a disco ball.
Looking forward to: Headliners, Nubiyan Twist, are
HUGH PHILLIMORE – CORNBURY [5 – 7
insane live so can’t wait for that - they’re ‘future jazz
JULY, GREAT TEW PARK] Last year and this: Loved Afro dub’ for those that don’t know them. We’re also
Deacon Blue and so did everyone else. Very excited
very hyped about having a techno ceilidh this year,
we’ve finally got Elkie Brooks and watch out for Chile’s
something we’ve been dreaming up for ages.
biggest pop star – Mon Laferte.
Transcendental moment: We have the Sinfonia Gaia
Cautionary tale: I booked Megan McKenna as I
orchestra at Tandem - they performed a piece about a
thought she was an up and coming Nashville country
storm. As they got to the big thunder crash, suddenly
star. I did wonder why there were so many Essex girls
we had our first ever Tandem downpour and then as
at her London gig. Turns out she’s from Essex and
they got to the bit where the storm ended, the rain
featured on Britain’s Got Talent, Celebrity Big Brother,
stopped and out came the sun. Everyone was amazed,
Ex – on the Beach and The Only Way is Essex – who
but also a bit freaked that the orchestra conductor
knew! Note to self – need to watch more crap TV.
might be God.
CONOR BURNS - TRUCK FESTIVAL
[STEVENTON, 26 – 28 JULY]
Last year: It has got to be George Ezra. The summer
of 2018 has to be remembered for the blazing hot
ANYA FOX – COWLEY CARNIVAL [COWLEY
weather, the football and trying to get ‘Shotgun’ out ROAD, JULY 7] - Last year: New disco area in the
of your head. He was the biggest headliner we’ve Union Street car park, with an amazing old school funk
probably had up until then and definitely the most party atmosphere. Also Sebe Ntenge and the Maziki
people we have had in front of that main stage. I beat Choir really summed up the breadth of the different
Mr Motivator at Ping Pong. The rematch is on in 2019. cultures in the area, and getting different communities
(I’m definitely going to win). to work together. A member of the clergy of one of the
Looking forward to: I think we can all agree Saturday spaces we use came in to express some concerns - on
night is the big one…after 5 years away, Foals (pictured his way, however, he was confronted by 3 very bright
above) returning to Oxford is going to be something pink Marilyn Monroes in just their bras and pants....we
else and go down in history! We’re also ecstatic to never did find out what the issue was, he just walked
welcome IDLES to Truck this year, Joy as an Act has away with a big grin.
been the office favourite for the past twelve months Looking forward to: Bollywood Brass Band, Sahud
and we know that Market Stage is going to get sweaty. and her Palestinian musicians at St Mary and St John’s
But, it could all be topped by the man of the moment, church. All our stages will be hosting inclusive groups
the self-proclaimed Scottish-Beyonce himself Lewis allowing disabled people access to perform in Oxford
Capaldi. The fastest selling album of 2019 I believe, with the same confidence and support as everyone
and 6 weeks at Number 1. It’s going to be some Friday else.
night that.
81010 11
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ANDY PICKARD – RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL
[CHARLBURY 20-21 JULY] Last year: Despite
they didn’t disappoint on their return. And to finish the
weekend with the incredible harmonies of Bennett
ADRIAN & MARK, OVER THE HILL FESTIVAL
[COGGES FARM, WITNEY, MONDAY, AUGUST 26]
AT HOME
pouring rain and wind in the middle of the hottest
summer on record, The Standard played an excellent
Wilson Poole was very special. Looking forward to: Katy
Hurt is definitely a talent to keep an eye on, and you
Looking forward to: Having Danny & the Champions
of the World, The Black Feathers, William the Conqueror,
WITH
set which had the whole crowd dancing. No names
mentioned... but we had some DJs turn up to play with
won’t believe the banjo playing of Darren Eedens who
joins us with his band the Slim Pickins. A beery tale: We
Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou and the other acts on the line-
up is a huge thrill. Seeing as we’ve worked with virtually all
DOLLY
just a bag of vinyl and sandwiches, nothing else. No
decks or anything. We sent them home to get their kit!
like to keep our artists well watered, but one year one
of our acts literally drank us dry! We had to send out for
of them before it’s like having your musical family around
you. Plus local country music hero Ags Connolly will be
MAVIES
Looking forward to: Kanadia! An excellent band who more beer about halfway through the day. Since then sure to delight his many Witney followers. We are super
will be massive in the future. we’ve introduced our own beer with the help of the excited for people to experience Cogges Farm - with the
Shotover Brewery, so hopefully we won’t run short again food and bars stationed in the courtyard, the music stages
LIZ BIRT – CORNERSTONE BEER & MUSIC this time! in the tithe barns. Just mind the goat.
FESTIVAL, 26 – 28 JULY, DIDCOT
Last year: Alphabet Backwards and Flights of Helios JOE HEAP – TOWERSEY JAMES CUNNING - IF NOT NOW, WHEN
on the Saturday night were just joyous and sublime FESTIVAL, [23 – 26 JULY] FESTIVAL [EAST OXFORD COMMUNITY
respectively. Looking forward to: Really excited to Last year: The obvious choice
CENTRE, SEPTEMBER 14] Last year: Personal
have Adam Barnes back form Berlin to perform on is The Proclaimers but my
highlight wasn’t an act, a song or anything that Peeking in through the keyhole at what
Friday night and Saturday nights headliners are really top pick would be Tankus the
happened. One of our punters said to us ‘it feels like
exciting; Tiger Mendoza, Flights of Helios and Dubwiser. Henge - just the most amazing
I’m in Berlin’, which is a great compliment and really
Oxford’s music stars get up to offstage...
Watching the crowds dancing and Jonas’ energy is live act.
sums up the vibe we’re trying to cultivate. Loved Night THE BEAUTY OF FESTIVAL SEASON IS STUMBLING
always just what you need late on a Saturday night. A proper theatrical show!
Flowers turning up in their post office van with a giant OVER A NEW ARTIST WHO KNOCKS YOUR FLIP FLOPS
A rain-water tale: Getting monsooned off the year Looking forward to: The
dog in tow! Looking forward to: Super excited about RIGHT OFF, OR SEEING IN THE FLESH SOMEONE
before last, one of the acts was dancing further and Hothouse Flowers played at Celtic Connections Festival a
Martha - we’ve tried to bring them to Oxford for the past YOU’VE HEARD GOOD THINGS ABOUT. CHANCES
further back from the edge of stage as the rainwater few years back and blew me away. A year or so later I saw
two editions so I’m really glad we’ve finally got them - ARE, ONE OF THESE IS GOING TO BE DOLLY MAVIES
seeped very steadily towards her– that’s the year we The Selecter (pictured) absolutely lift the roof of Rock City
New album is excellent! If you’ve not heard Bilge Pump aka OXFORD’S MOLLY DAVIES, WHO IS GAINING A BIG
decided to put the headliners in our gorgeous air in Nottingham. So Sunday night will be jumping, that’s for
before then get down to the festival - they’ll melt your NAME FOR HERSELF IN THESE PARTS AND FURTHER
conditioned and water proof auditorium! sure! A time is tight tale: Just last year a band were flying
face off. And watch out for Murderach - her songs and AFIELD COURTESY SOUL – STIRRING PERFORMANCES
in from Denmark. They arrived on site with five minutes ‘til
production are really fresh. FOR SO FAR SOUNDS AND FESTIVAL APPEARANCES AT
WILL BANKS – HALFWAY TO 75 [ISIS soundcheck. We had to load all the instruments and them
THE LIKES OF CORNBURY AND RIVERSIDE.
into a tiny little site buggy and whizz (safely of course)
FARMHOUSE, JULY 27] Last year: It was brilliant SIMON BAILEY – Last meal you cooked: A last minute whatever was
across the site. We had drums, stools, fiddles and band
to have Speedbuggy USA back from California – they RITUAL UNION left in the fridge before we headed off to Hungary to
members hanging out the buggy at all angles. They made
absolutely blew everyone away on their first visit and
it, and played a brilliant set. [VARIOUS VENUES, play some shows. So it was an amalgamation of pasta,
COWLEY ROAD tomato, pepper, chicken, pesto, chilli and spinach!!
OCTOBER 19] My favourite spot in the house: Outside in the garden
Last year: Hard to pick a when the sun is shining, oh and with freshly cut grass of
personal highlight as so many great bands but loved course!!!
hosting Gaz Coombes for a hometown headline slot. Favourite thing in your house: A tour poster from one
Also Nadine Shah was brilliant and was great to see The of my favourite artists Gregory Alan Isakov; I got to see
Bullingdon at total capacity for The Lovely Eggs mid - him last Christmas and it is one of my most favourite
afternoon. I had a great moment where Nadine Shah memories and gigs I’ve ever been to. His music is
and I were having a boogie in the pit whilst Ghostpoet beautiful, and he is perfect live. The poster is also really
was playing. She’s such a fun character! Looking forward nice too, so that helps!
to: This year I’m really looking forward to hosting some
Late sleeper or early riser: I am a complete night owl,
of the most exciting upcoming bands in the UK such as
but sometimes you do have to get up (which is a shame)
The Murder Capital (pictured), Scalping, Katy J Pearson
but I do love an early start when it is for something
and Lazarus Kane. Also, really excited to get The Comet Is
exciting, like a holiday... who doesn’t love that?
Coming onboard after 3 years of trying!
Latest binge-watched TV? I’m currently
DON’T MISS! Wilderness: Cornbury Park, August 1 – 4, watching the US Office and loving it!! They
the glamping-est fest on the block with Robyn, Bombay really got it right with this series translation.
Bicycle Club, Groove Armada, Soak and Low Island Also I love Dwight, he is hilarious.
!Radio show you always listen to? I love
Bunkfest: Wallingford, August 30 – September 1 – folk listening to BBC 6 Music and also the BBC
and roots all the way, worth going to just for the beer Introducing shows, love hearing those new
tent! Tankus the Henge, Merry Hell, Roving Crows. tracks by local and independent artists.
Cropredy: Cropredy, 8-10 August. Fairport with their
English institution – Waterboys, Frank Turner, Martin See Dolly Mavies at: Cornbury, Riverside stage,
Simpson, Seth Lakeman Riverside, Witney Music Festival, Oxford’s Big
Green Day Out, Cogges Farm Beer & Cider fest.
Om n’ Bass: July 26 – 28 July, Braziers Park.
Relaxational health and wellbeing, reggae and d’n’b DJs. Reflections EP featuring single My Buoy out
Picture credits- Cover & P6 top Truck; P8 top, Wood by GlassHrtzPhoto, now.
P8 pic left – Cowley Carnival, Flights of Helios by Jeff Slade
12 13
OMS41
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OMS41
LIVE GOLDIE LOOKIN CHAIN,
O2 ACADEMY
The over-padded pensioner’s flannel widely
scorned as Wikipedia describes the GLC as
“comedic.” Which is unfair to a collective
who put their home city, Newport, on the
map. And what other rap group would rhyme
“telekinesis” with the line “f#cking strong
draw leaves my mind in pieces?” Would you
find Wiley, Stormzy or even our own Rawz or
GlassHertzzPhoto
N-Zyme chucking in references to their local
Waitrose or releasing a pop video of their
children abandoned in a pushchair outside
Wetherspoons? Hopefully not. But for GLC it’s
JACK GOLDSTEIN, DEAF a walk of life. It’s just that it’s a life played out
AND HARD OF HEARING - in Wales, under the shadow of our leader,
Tom Jones.
GlassHertzzPhoto
CENTRE
As a live act the GLC are phenomenal as ever.
Despicable Zee drops a set of songs heavily In Oxford tonight it’s music hall at its rawest,
WOOD FESTIVAL, BRAZIERS of parents, adore Cope and his songs about
fledgling owls, gender politics and, erm, plops. influenced by her Iranian heritage and infused it’s Public Enemy at their Welsh-ist. And it’s the
PARK We pause to make an edible broccoli and
foraged birch branch brooch before Martin
with frustrated longing for a homeland
that seems far out of reach. A powerful
gents’ loos at the O2 at their most intoxicated-ish.
On stage bounces the rare treat of Leeroy
Wizards, shamans, gong showers, owls, edible Harley wows us with his steely (dan) steel performance. Fashions, “62 years young,” who dances as
hat workshops, djembe drumming sessions, guitar trickery. Tunng are an experimental There’s a quite a lot of Brian Molko in Max though his red tracksuit has caught crabs.
woodland creature improv theatre, a thatching delight, an inspired choice to bring Saturday Blansjaar’s delivery but boy, this lo-fi DIY pop There are the lyrical skills of Adam Hussein -
masterclass, owls, climate change meetings to a close and we head for our tent with their boy can play. A couple of pretty pedestrian so busy on the mic he can’t find time to get
and disco workouts. Wood has it all. It also beats in our head as we munch away on our tunes slow things down a little, but it must be his lager in his mouth. There is Eggsy getting
won most eco friendly UK festival in 2018. newly created jewellery, feeling that this is an remembered that he is 16. By happy chance old enough to run for election for Plaid
Oh yes, and there was some music too... experience only Wood can provide. today is bass player Silke Blansjaar’s birthday Cymru. And of course we get the master of
DAY 1 - Hannah Rose Platt gets the weekend and as her brother breaks out the celebratory understatement, Billy “Should Have Gone to
DAY 3 - The fields are abuzz with knitting GlassHertzPhoto
off to the warmest of starts whilst AK hats for everyone to wear, we imagine what SpecSavers” Webb. What we don’t get, sadly, is
classes, yoga sessions and owl amulet -
Patterson comes at the festival crowd like a he’ll be writing when he’s 17. Or 18. or 25. He’s an appearance from Mystikal. Who, if you have
making workshops (for some reason ours
darker Florence and the Machine. The Oxford resembled an uncharacteristically overjoyed gonna be big. missed this, raps with an Oxbridge accent.
Ukelele Big Band are always great value with Morrissey) whilst acapella group The And then the party really gets started. Way too close for comfort.
a set of good time covers and there’s a proper Rivers enchanted a packed - out beer tent. Whatever the former Fixers frontman Jack And so a GLC gig with a lively crowd is still like
welly-stomping hoedown from headline act Belshazaar’s Feast, featuring Bellowhead’s Goldstein does, whether it is balls-out waking up to find Christmas Day has arrived,
Midnight Skyracer. The electric Green Party Paul Sartin, are an accordion-squeezing, frag metal, psychedelic disco, improvised and someone bought you drink. Another
bus parks up next to the Extinction Rebellion fiddle-fiddling joy with the best end-of-set performance pieces or sticky-icky J Pop, it is stunning night? You knows it, claart.
tent and speaks volumes and day one ends rendition of the Cornetto song ever. Main always with meaning and purpose. His new (JB)
in proto-ska style as Papa Nui get the place stage headliners Coute Diomboulou get the record Love is the Answer… features some of
jumping whilst lead singer Matthew Morton last ones standing back on their feet with his very best music, with the deeply affecting
rags his rather fine collection of harmonicas some classy Senegalese rhythms and Bennet and quite stunning Dungeness playing on
for all they are worth. Wilson & Poole conjure up the Byrds as they repeat down at OMS Pavillions.
close out the festival with their sweet, sweet The show starts with a speech about how
DAY 2 - The day kicks off with some harmonies. Wood is good. Really good. A
uber-bueno Majorcan surf pop from Toni austerity robbed us all of a chance to see
unique experience. (CF)
Monseratt. We swear a thankfully resurrected Goldstein duet with a hologram of Nina
Dennis Wilson was playing drums (but that GlassHertzzPhoto
Simone, but what we got was even better
could be the cider) and this is one of our than that as he essentially duetted with an
favourite performances of the weekend. Over aural hologram of himself. Bounding between
in the kids tent, Nick Cope pulls in the second the stage, the audience, the floor and the
biggest crowd of the weekend, second only ceiling and with a disco ball spinning above
that is to the crowd he pulls on the main his head, the intensity and the joy are almost Photo: Andrew Pring
stage the following day. The kids, and a lot hallucinatory. A very special talent indeed. (CF)
14 15
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LIVE
OMS41
wistful. But there is something uplifting in her tender
Americana, and hearts are only gently broken as Cluck
wove her spell, leaving the mesmerised audience
knowing that they have been part of something very
J MASCIS, O2 ACADEMY special. The evening ends with the willing students
In the studio, Philadelphia singer-songwriter Rosali from Cluck’s writing workshop showcasing the fruit
Middleman fits the lo-fi sound of Kurt Vile with of their labours. Well, eggs. Who knew a song about
suggestions of reverb-heavy dream-pop. However, as eggs could be so melancholy. Apart from Diane
the support act for tonight’s show we get just Rosali Cluck. (CF)
and clean guitar. Stripping back all the production
leaves simple, melancholy ballads which tug at the THE BETHS, THE BULLINGDON
heart strings. The result is a sound not too dissimilar New Zealand natives The Beths are on a world
to Aimee Mann, but a little more bleak; engaging but tour supporting their new LP The Future Hates Me.
perhaps not as inspiring as on record. Yes, New Zealand. Cue immediate search for “New
Have you ever imagined what Dinosaur Jr would Zealand bands” (apparently Keith Urban is from there)
sound like without the rhythm section? Well, that and extended thoughts about what might constitute
is essentially what a J Mascis solo set is. His 3 solo “the New Zealand sound”. All irrelevant as it turns out
albums have been memorable, contemplative and because The Beths sound American. Lead singer
mostly acoustic with just enough fuzzy electric lead Elizabeth Stokes does a nice line in kookily dry asides,
work to remind you of Mascis’ day job while keeping and the band, who come on like a Tanya Donnelly-
the laid back mood. However, with near half of his fronted Jimmy Eat World, bash out good old
set being Dinosaur Jr songs tonight, Mascis puts fashioned indie pop hits. The songs are well - crafted
aside the calmness of those albums to give as much and are performed with melodic precision, each one
rock as one man with an acoustic guitar and some sounding like it could be the theme tune to a sitcom.
pedals can deliver. There’s nothing too caustic or challenging here and at
It’s no bad thing, as bursts of fuzz and Mascis’ times there is a little forced plasticity to all the kooky
blistering, discordant solos are always amazing, but niceness, but why pick nits when what The Beths are
just a little more intense than was expected. Tracks doing sounds so damned sweet. (CF)
like See You at the Movies from recent album Elastic
Days are the perfect blend of fuzz and acoustic, RETURN OF THE DAY OF THE
whereas Alone from 1997 Dinosaur Jr album Hand
It Over, late in the the set, is an 8-minute distorted DEADBEATS, ISIS FARMHOUSE
psych dreamscape that despite Mascis’ best efforts, The second edition of the (mostly, music - wise) new
feels a little thin compared to the original. (MCJ). rootin’ tootin’ country rockin’, guess you’d call it a
boutique, festival by the Isis – it’s a proper Nashville
exchange programme here, and we’re feeling a bit
underdressed. You simply have to doff your Stetson to
DRAHLA, THE BULLINGDON the loving attention to detail – the room out the back
Last month’s Useless Coordinates was a directionless of the pub looks a million dollars, as does testifyin’
frenzy of tense, muddy, but often danceable Deadbeats frontman Michael Ginger (pictured – Shirt of
post-punk. Off the back of it, Drahla had all the the Day), and you’re invited to kick back on a hay bale
conditions in place to create an extraordinary while savouring the cream of the local alt – country
live music experience: a solid bank of tunes, slick scene in their natural habitat. The Epstein (pictured) get
musicianship and a healthy dose of industry buzz. the gathered all excited, packing a setlist of dustbowl
However, the Sonic-Youth-esque anarchy that is gold - always guaranteed. Headliners August List (main
striking on record fails to translate live. The call of pic below) send us rolling homewards along (thankfully
War on Women! hangs starkly against the backdrop not in, just...) the river, plundering their back catalogue,
of an overwhelmingly male crowd. A suffocating dusting off and bringing the thunder with, 40 Rod of
sense of awkwardness looms in the air and doesn’t Lightnin’. Roll on The Return of The Return of…
let up until the very end, after the lights turn on, to the (pictures by Jeff Slade)
bemusement of a sparse crowd, unsure of whether or
not the gig was over. Not quite the triumphant victory
lap deserved after the release of one of the standout
debuts of the year so far. (CB)
DIANE CLUCK, THE BULLINGDON
Following on from Ana Silvera’s beautifully fragile
show earlier in the year, Diane Cluck’s performance
feels almost like a reprise. Fresh from hosting a singing
workshop earlier in the day, she captivates with a set
of wry, sad, acoustic songs, many of them deeply
personal. Cluck’s music belies her age, her honest
lyrics are worldworn, her profoundly natural delivery
16 17
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BBC INTRODUCING
OXFORD Make music your future
WITH THE BEHIND THE SCENES
TEAM LIZ GREEN & KATY HILLS
GETTING THE FESTIVAL FEELING!
Our favourite time of the year has finally
rolled around. After a busy couple of months LIVE SESSIONS As well as sharing these tracks
preparing, the team can’t wait to slather and supporting Oxfordshire’s promising new
on the sun cream and watch some of our talent, we’ve also heard some wonderful live
incredible local artists perform on the UK’s sessions across the last few shows. Swedish-
biggest festival stages. born indie-pop songwriter and guitarist
FESTIVAL SEASON Supporting our local artists Julia Meijer hit us right in the feels with an
on national festival stages is one of the best enchanting acoustic performance of her track
things we get to do at Introducing, so the Skydda Dig, whilst East Oxford indie-rock outfit
team are very excited to be doing more of the Mother offered up a stripped back version of
same this summer at some of our favourite Strangers, a rarity from a band best known
sites. Despicable Zee (pictured) will be gracing for their mammoth sound. Finally, singer-
the BBC Music Introducing stage at Latitude songwriter Rhys Lewis dropped by to debut his
Festival in July with her unique productions, new single What If, a real treat from an artist who’s
alongside gypsy jazz champions Brickwork used to playing shows on international stages.
Lizards. Additionally, Oxford stalwarts Little
With so much to look forward to in the coming
Brother Eli will be performing in the beautiful
months, you won’t want to miss a beat. So make
Cotswolds countryside at The Big Feastival, sure you tune into BBC Introducing in Oxford every
along with folk-pop newcomers Eloquent Saturday for all the festival gossip and your weekly
Youth. As if that isn’t enough, Truck Festival’s dose of the best local music.
Band App shortlist is in and it features some
of Oxford’s finest. Self Help, Tiger Mendoza,
Death Of The Maiden, Daisy and loads more
are in for a chance of playing alongside the
likes of Foals, Wolf Alice and Two Door Cinema
Club come July - make sure you cast your
vote! Finally, we’ve teamed up with Oxford’s
Offbeat Festival once again to suggest the best
new acts to perform across their stages and
we have a Beanie Tapes blitz with Candy Says Music Technology students performing
and Max Blansjaar at the Old Fire Station on at Fat Lil’s in Witney as part of their
final major projects.
June 22
NEW MUSIC We’ve been listening to the
Uploader with the usual fervour and, as ever,
We offer creative courses from Level 1 to Level 4,
are thrilled with the high standard of music
accredited by the University of the Arts London (UAL)
we’ve been able to share with our listeners.
and Rockschool Limited (RSL).
t
k ou
Notable new tracks from PETSEMATARY, Jack
Goldstein, Be Good and Dolly Mavies have Come along to our Open Days, see our facilities, Chec evel 4 l
all had spins, as well as some impressive First talk to staff and check out your future. our L & Visua
o
Audi oduction
Plays, including West Oxford songwriter Mutley,
Abingdon: Art & Design, Media, Performing Arts Pr urse
the bubbling pop of Sara Silveira and Henry Co
and Backstage Production
Taylour’s sultry folk. Candy Says also dropped
Wednesday 5th June, 3:30-7:00pm
their new track Crave Easy ahead of the
aforementioned appearance at Offbeat. We’ve Witney: Art & Design, Media, Games Development, Music Technology
Wednesday 19th June, 3:30-7:00pm
been sent so many brilliant tracks from new
artists over the last few months that we even
www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk
had to host an hour-long First Play special!
18 Ox Music Scene Ad 28.07.19.indd 1 28/05/2019 17:09OMS41 OMS41
NATIONAL RELEASES NATIONAL RELEASES
HONEYBLOOD – IN ALDOUS HARDING -
PLAIN SIGHT DESIGNER
Embracing noise, fuzz and a Darling of Rough Trade shops
punk attitude do not necessarily (album of the year), Hannah
mean you can’t make great Harding (under the pseudonym
pop music. Honeyblood is the Aldous) had a tough brief
brainchild of Glasgow’s Stina to fill after the success of
Tweeddale, returning with this RICHARD HAWLEY - SUNN – LIFE METAL 2017’s Party. Impressively,
third album after settling as a FURTHER with third outing Designer,
solo project - two drummers Harding manages to create
You know what you’re getting
THE NATIONAL – I AM have moved on since the Across twenty years as a solo with a Sunn album, but just in something fresh but stay true
band’s founding, but it’s always artist, 8 studio albums, as BEARS DEN – SO THAT
EASY TO FIND case you don’t know, you’re to her own brand of oddball
been Tweeddale’s vision. well as numerous EPs and getting some of the heaviest folk-pop. Instead of sombre YOU MIGHT HEAR ME
With the opening guitar Every song is stacked high collaborations, Richard Hawley finger-picking, she opts for
drone music ever produced.
sounding like a broken siren, with massive distorted chords, has deftly traversed endless peppy basslines. More simple Communion Records have
Most bands don’t come with
this eighth album lulls you into endlessly catchy hooks and genres; from sea shanties to production lets Harding’s shaped a large portion of
a tag line; Sunn have two.
thinking it continues from where choruses that will get even 60s psych and the blistering skilful songcraft take centre popular guitar music over
The first – “ever breathe a
their last one left off. But at over the most reluctant commuter blues-rock of Further opening stage. The result is summery the last decade. The post -
frequency?” – plays directly into
an hour long it is filled with singing along, and any festival track Off My Mind. After that and overwhelmingly pleasant, Mumford stomp-and-holler
the second: “maximum volume
surprises; the hypnotic drums crowd jumping around in massive introduction Hawley the release perfectly timed to folk/rock scene has borne out
yields maximum results.” But
and gentle piano remain but we seconds. But what makes In does bring things back towards the onset of sunny weather. numerous copycats and a few
far from being a rock n’ roll
are treated to a more developed Plain Sight really special is that his timeless brand of baritone This is not to say that Harding genuinely interesting bands.
cliché, the second statement
and textured range of songs. while, on the surface, it is prime crooning and melancholy. completely abandons her With their third album, Bear’s
is actually true. Life Metal, the
The addition of guest female lo-fi indie in the vein of Best Emilina Says, and the title track signature moodiness; the Den have continued to expand
Seattle band’s eighth album,
vocalists, including Gaily Ann- Coast or Jenny Lewis, the pop with their string - laden balladry haunting Heaven is Empty up on the cinematic blend of
demands to be played loud so
Dorsey, Sharon Van Etten and credentials are so strong that could have been recorded any comes in full force as a wholesome folkish rock and
you can feel the soundwaves
Lisa Hannigan make it stand out more than once you could time in the last fifty years and devastating punch in the gut. electronic backing; synths and
shaking the foundations of
for the others. They take songs be forgiven for mistaking would have sounded just as On the other hand, experiments drum machines pepper every
Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio
and turn them into something Honeyblood for a 60s girl relevant. Other highlights are in piano in the same vein as track, building the density and
studio where it was recorded.
quite different, something group like The Shangri-las or Gallay Girl which incorporates previous hit Horizon turn out sense of scale. This is not quiet
Like all their albums, Life Metal
gentle, electronic, modern and The Ronnettes, just… fuzzier. folk revival melodies into with the instrumental flair of a folk for a club in the trendy part
is an immersive experience
uplifting yet still recognisable as While exploring rebellion and classic rock, and Is There a GCSE music project. Somehow of town, but for the big stages
that rewards deep listening
The National. toxic relationships, Tweeddale Pill which merges Elbow with Harding’s natural ear for a tune and dramatic end-of-season TV
with deceptive melodies and
With some of the lyrics provided has performed a miraculous Roy Orbison and Norman allows her to style it out - a real montages.
harmony among the discord,
by Matt Berninger’swife, the balancing act between Greenbaum! What’s not to masterclass in effortlessness. Though this sounds great,
the highlight being the
album comes over as less angry seemingly opposing forces, love? (CB) 4.5/5 and it can be, there is a lot
vocal contribution of Hildur
than their earlier material, and accessibility and attitude, pop The real magic in all of Hawley’s of competition out there,
Guðnadóttir on opening track
more contemplative of the and punk, fuzz and fans. work is how he removes and this sound is not new so
Between Sleipnir’s Breaths.
relationships we find ourselves (MCJ) 4/5 himself from the fickle tides you need to do something
Obviously, it might not be to
in later in life. Adding to these of what is popular this week everyone’s tastes, but allow the special to stand out of the
new textures are two short and forges his own path, while music to flow at its own glacial crowd. The deeper electronic
choral pieces (on paper not a keeping a strong sense of the pace and you’ll soon find elements nearly push So That
great idea), which slow things close relationship he has with yourself in a trance-like state, You Might Hear Me over the
down just long enough to his native Sheffield and focusing wondering where the last 69 top, into attention worthy, but
appreciate live fan favourite all that through his love of minutes went. unfortunately, not quite. Not to
Rylan, I am not in Kansas and rockabilly. (TM) 4/5 say it’s without charm, but the
Where is Her Head, just some, (MCJ) 4/5 scope is wide and inviting, but
of many, standouts. Surely an ultimately the result is a little
album destined to be fighting for too shallow to make the return
a high placing in the end of year visit. (MCJ) 3/5
polls. (DR)
20 21LOCAL RELEASES
OMS41
now - on this live EP, The
Brickwork Lizards, kicking
their heels at fashion. We
head off with the thump of
Malachi O’Neill’s double bass
and before you know it, the
chancel is awash with ouds,
splashes of weird English
folk, Ink Spot vocals and
Elgar cello. The sound on DOLLY MAVIES –
this EP is magnificent, raw, REFLECTIONS EP
bearing out the long-held
SHOTOVER – S/T EP suspicion that real bands are Having had limited experience
simply wasting their money in of Dolly Mavies, opening track
This is the new EP from a trio recording studios. This eclipses Losing My Mind broadsided
of former Balloon Ascents the Lizards’ studio output me somewhat. I was
members. It retains the by someway. It’s an autumn expecting something a lot
skittish arpeggios of their evening on wax, the moment closer to folk – instead, there
former group, coupled with before someone in a tracksuit is expansive production and
shades of frontman Thomas switches on the waltzer. (JB) heavy atmosphere. Second
Roberts’ recent solo efforts as track Reflection is more like
Zerowe – creating a pleasing what I was expecting, and
meld of indie and r’n’b. I whilst I wouldn’t call it lyrically
always struggled with Balloon subtle, there are some lovely
Ascents – enjoyed them live production choices here.
but never on record, but this However, each of the five
is a really nice collection of songs is ploughing its own
songs. Moonbeams has a furrow - one sounds very mid
better hook than most tracks 2000s radio ROCK whilst
I’ve heard this year, Pause has another is more 80s Kate
a lovely Beatles-esque lilt, and I Bush. Whilst this shows an
Don’t Have the Answer sounds admirable and impressive array
like Brian Eno jamming with of production skills, arranging
Bibio. It would be better if they CIPHERS – FUTURE and songwriting, it leaves the
veered away from the coffee- TRIBES EP EP as a whole feeling a bit
table lounge-mush of Gravity disconnected - as individual
Bong but this is an intriguing Ciphers’ sophomore release songs there’s a lot to like, but
start. (UL) sees the band take a pleasingly as an EP there doesn’t seem to
dark turn on this 3 track EP. be a specific narrative thread
Mila Todd’s vocal performance - musically or lyrically; with a
BRICKWORK LIZARDS – is growing in range, nuance bit more focus there could be
LIVE AT ST GILES EP and stature and she could something really nice here. (UL)
well be a star in the making.
St Giles, patron saint of Her band create guitar driven
cripples, lends his name orchestrations that surround
to a church rounding off a her, sending the music
street which has been the towards the operatic, but the
site of Oxford’s city fair on production still feels slight and
the first Monday and Tuesday lets the recording down. If
in September since anyone Ciphers could get connected
can remember. The site of with a next level producer,
waxworks, freak shows, ghost things could get seriously big
trains, Victorian giants, and and seriously interesting. (CF)
22 23facebook.com/o2academyoxford
twitter.com/o2academyoxford
instagram.com/o2academyoxford
youtube.com/o2academytv
Tue 14th May Thur 20th Jun Thur 26th Sep Mon 4th Nov
J Mascis Band Of Horses Submotion Feeder
+ Rosali + Lion Orchestra Thur 7th Nov
Tue 14th May Tue 25th Jun Sat 28th Sep • 6.30pm Little Comets
Lucy Spraggan The Dead South Evil Scarecrow Sat 9th Nov • 6.30pm
+ The Grand Mal
Wed 15th May • 6.30pm
Thur 27th Jun Snarky Puppy
SOAK Cat Power
+ Damaged Reich
+ Imminent Annihilation Mon 11th Nov
+ Pillow Queens
Fri 28th Jun • 11pm Mon 30th Sep Elder Island
Sat 18th May • 6.30pm
Samantha Fish Mad Cobra The Night Café Thur 14th Nov
Tue 21st May Sat 29th Jun Thur 3rd Oct The Smyths...
The AC/DC Pierce Brothers A celebration
End Of An Era - Vol 1 of the debut L.P
ft Keeva Mairéad, Experience - Who’s Fri 4th Oct • 6.30pm
The Auburn Project, Got Big Balls CoCo and the Fri 15th Nov • 6.30pm
Novacane, The Chess Club
Butterfields The Treatment
Thur 4th Jul • SOLD OUT + Airrace
Wed 22nd May • 6.30pm
Belle & Sebastian Tue 8th Oct + Lake Acacia
Sons of the East Easy Life
ft Amistat, Five Fathoms Deep Tue 9th Jul Sun 17th Nov
Thur 23rd May Comeback Kid Fri 11th Oct • 6.30pm Black Water County
End Of An Era - Vol 2 + Svalbard King Prawn Fri 22nd Nov • 6.30pm
+ I Cried Wolf + Popes of Chillitown
ft Ellie Armetta, Kiera Half Man Half Biscuit
Gabrielle, The Roaches, Thur 25th Jul Sat 12th Oct • 6.30pm
Tue 26th Nov
RedShift, A Dying Breed
Elvana: Elvis Antarctic Monkeys
Fontaines D.C.
Sat 25th May • 6.30pm Fronted Nirvana Sat 12th Oct • 6.30pm
Inner Peace + Cherokii The Divine Comedy
Wed 27th Nov • 6.30pm
Records Electric Six
Fri 2nd Aug Fri 18th Oct • 6.30pm
ft DeSide, Deeq, Erbz & Those Thur 28th Nov
White Denim Amber Run
That Know DJs
+ Boy Azooga Happy Mondays
Sat 25th May • 11pm
Thur 15th Aug
Tue 22nd Oct
- Greatest Hits Tour
I LOVE REGGAETON Striking Matches + Jon Dasilva
This Is The Kit + Tenille Townes
Sat 25th May • 11pm Fri 29th Nov • 6.30pm
+ Rozi Plain
Fri 25th Oct • 6.30pm
#6MILLI Summer Mad Dog Mcrea
Send Off
Sun 25th Aug
Jake Clemons
Sat 30th Nov • 6.30pm
Little Steven & + Ben McKelvey
Fri 31th May • 6pm
The Disciples Of Soul Definitely Mightbe
Sat 26th Oct • 6.30pm
All Ears Avow (Oasis tribute)
Fri 30th Aug Guns 2 Roses
& Kill The Ideal + MOTLEY CRUED Fri 6th Dtec • 6.30pm
+ Be Still Palmist
Sat 2nd Nov • 6pm Pearl Jam UK
+ Thousand Thoughts Fri 6th Sep • 6.30pm
+ Born Ideal Hip Hop Hooray Sat 7th Dec • 6.30pm
Ultimate Coldplay
Fri 31st May • 11pm Sat 2nd Nov • 6.30pm Absolute Bowie
Bass Odyssey
Fri 20th Sep • 6.30pm
The Dualers - Legacy Tour
Boyzlife + Kioko Fri 13th Mar 2020
Sat 8th Jun
Honeyblood Tue 24th Sep Sun 3rd Nov The SUPERSONIC 70s
+ LUCIA New Hope Club Bear’s Den XMAS SHOW
o2academyoxford.co.uk
190 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1UE · Doors are 7pm, unless stated.
Venue box office opening hours: Mon - Sat 12pm - 5.30pm
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